Pony Up

Tucked into Jinxian Road’s ever-lively bar strip, Pony Up has quickly become Shanghai’s go-to for polished but unpretentious cocktails. Opened in late 2023, it’s split between a skylit Front Bar and a cosy Back Bar, each with its own menu and mood.

By day, sunlight filters through the skylight onto high tables and the One Sip Classics menu, which offers aperitif-style cocktails designed for easy conversation. As night falls, the back bar takes over with richer, more experimental serves: twelve drinks that layer unexpected ingredients with clean structure. Dre Yang brings precision and warmth in equal measure.

Design-wise, John Wong’s palette of walnut, velvet orange and deep green keeps the space grounded yet inviting, an elevated casual living room with serious bartending credentials. It’s the kind of bar where regulars mix with industry folk, where snacks like the buttery patty melt rival the cocktails in popularity.

Tatler Tip

Arrive around 4pm for low-ABV aperitifs in the sunroom, then linger as the lights dim and the Back Bar comes alive with its bolder, late-night menu.